The state human rights watchdog on Thursday known as on police to supply acceptable communication instruments to the visually impaired or have them be accompanied by guardians throughout police questioning.
The Nationwide Human Rights Fee of Korea (NHRCK) stated it has made the advice in response to a petition filed by a blind one that claimed to have been discriminated towards throughout police questioning after falling sufferer to a site visitors accident.
The petitioner was hit whereas strolling alongside a street in Seoul when a automotive coming from behind brushed towards the petitioner’s arm with its proper side-view mirror in March final yr.
When the petitioner appeared for an interview with police, the officer in cost didn’t elaborate on the rights of the victims of site visitors accidents or ask whether or not to name in guardians who might assist with the testifying course of.
The officer reportedly handed out printouts regardless of figuring out the petitioner was visually impaired and shared the private data of the petitioner with the perpetrator’s insurance coverage firm, prompting the petitioner to file a criticism with the rights watchdog.
Police claimed the handout defined the rights of victims underneath prison proceedings, and that that they had solely given the petitioner’s title and cellphone quantity to the insurance coverage firm to make a declare for compensation.
The police officer additionally stated they might have organized for somebody who might assist with the testimony if such a request was made.
The human rights watchdog stated police ought to have defined intimately how they may assist and that giving out private data of the petitioner with out consent is a violation of the proper to self-determination of non-public data.
The NHRCK urged the Nationwide Police Company chief to have law enforcement officials present pertinent communication instruments for the blind and to have a helper stand by to assist them testify throughout questioning. (Yonhap)